Invasive Species

Invasive species are one of the most serious challenges that affect natural resources worldwide. Recent estimates of environmental and economic costs of invasive species in the United States alone approach $120 billion per year (Pimentel, Zuniga, and Morrison 2005).

President Clinton signed the Invasive Species Executive Order (E.O. 13112) in 1999 to “to prevent the introduction of invasive species and provide for their control and to minimize the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause.” The E.O. further defines an invasive species as, “an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.”

Invasive plants have been introduced to the region or U.S. from a different region or country. While many non-native plants are extremely beneficial to society, invasive plants spread rapidly and cause, or are likely to cause, harm to native ecosystems. Find invasive plant information here.